How to Make Moonshine Mash

If you enjoy a smooth glass of vodka, whiskey, bourbon, or classic moonshine, you already know these spirits are all crafted using a still. But what many don’t realize is that every great distilled drink begins with one key step — mashing. No, not the TV show — we’re talking about the process that transforms raw grains into a sweet, fermentable mixture called mash. Mashing is one of the most important and foundational stages in the distilling process.

Moonshine Mash: The Heart of Brewing and Distilling

In both brewing and distilling, mashing is the process of combining milled grains — typically malted barley, corn, sorghum, rye, or wheat — with water and applying heat. This allows natural enzymes in the malt to break down starches into fermentable sugars such as maltose, creating a rich, malty liquid known as wort.

Mashing takes place inside a vessel known as a mash tun — an insulated brewing container with a false bottom designed to separate liquid from grain. Throughout the process, temperature is carefully controlled in stages, usually between 45–73°C (113–163°F). The final result of mashing is called the mash — the base of your future moonshine, whiskey, or bourbon.

There are two main mashing methods used by distillers: Infusion Mashing and Decoction Mashing.

• Infusion Mashing – The mash is heated directly from one temperature rest to another. Some distillers add hot water between rests to fine-tune the temperature.
• Decoction Mashing – A portion of the grain is boiled separately and then mixed back into the mash. This method extracts more starch and enhances flavor by breaking down the grain’s cell walls.

The Best Moonshine Still for Mash

For distillers looking for the perfect still to handle their mash, The Distillery Network Inc. has developed a revolutionary unit featuring the patent-pending "Flame Flow™" Technology — the ideal copper moonshine still for serious distillers.

This cutting-edge design heats your mash in half the time, effectively cutting propane use by up to 50%. The Flame Flow™ system also minimizes the risk of scorching or burning your mash, ensuring smoother, more refined spirits. By allowing you to reach distilling temperature faster with a lower flame, this system offers unmatched control and precision compared to conventional pot stills.

When you’ve invested the time and effort into crafting the perfect mash, don’t risk it in an inferior still. Continue your distilling journey in a premium-quality, American-made copper still from The Distillery Network Inc. — built to deliver professional-grade performance and lasting value.

All products manufactured by The Distillery Network, Inc. are 100% guaranteed, handcrafted in the USA, and shipped directly to your door. To learn more about our copper moonshine stills for sale online, visit https://www.buyamoonshinestill.com/